Children Can Also Suffer From Bipolar Disorder

Is your five year-old child getting into disciplinary problems in school? Is he acting aggressively towards his classmates? Do the teachers note his lack of attention and inability to concentrate? Does he seem loving at one moment, then suddenly turn into a screaming bundle of rage? Does he flare up at the smallest actions? Do you find it almost impossible to predict his moods and emotions?

If your child exhibits such behaviors, then he may be suffering from early-onset bipolar disorder. Even today, this mood disorder is rarely diagnosed among children. Most children who suffer from it are diagnosed as having ADHD. However, medical professionals have found that children who come from families with a history of bipolar disorder and/or alcoholism on both sides of the family are at high risk of developing the mood disorder in their early youth. In fact, studies show that 80% of bipolar children have such a family background. Should your child experience the symptoms of bipolar disorder, you have to check to see if the condition is present on either side of the family.

Bipolar disorder is also known as manic depression. It is a mood disorder in which the bipolar person constantly swings from a state of emotional high (mania) to that of a low (depression). There are often periods of normal behavior as well.

Children who suffer from bipolar disorder may present a number of symptoms, depending on which phase of the disease they are in. During the manic phase, a child may exhibit such signs as:

- Volatile temper tantrums that last for hours - Hyper-aggressiveness and irritability - Hyperactivity and impulsiveness - Restlessness and lack of concentration - Extreme giddiness and goofy behavior - Rapid speech and racing thoughts - Extreme optimism and risk-taking - Heightened self-importance

During the depressive phase, the bipolar child may show such symptoms as:

- Long periods of depression - Difficulty getting up in the morning - Lack of appetite - Lack of interest in activities - Lethargy and fatigue - Hypersensitivity - Social anxiety and withdrawal

If your child is showing these symptoms and your family has a history of mood disorders and/or alcoholism on both sides, then your child may very well have a bipolar disorder. Take your child to a clinical psychiatrist to get a proper diagnosis.

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